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`US 20090298017Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Boerjes et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0298017 Al
`Dec. 3, 2009
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) DIGITAL DENTISTRY
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT /US2007 /001547
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Joseph Boerjes, Medford, MA
`(US); Simon K.J. Schiessl, Berlin
`(DE); Michael P. Girard, Ontario
`(CA); Micah J. Rosenbloom,
`Boston, MA (US); Eric B. Paley,
`Somerville, MA (US); Edward K.
`Tekeian, Cambridge, MA (US);
`Steven V. Weeks, North Andover,
`MA (US); David E. Altobelli,
`Hollis, NH (US); Douglas M.
`Johnston, Winchester, MA (US);
`Janos Rohaly, Acton, MA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
`POBOX33427
`ST. PAUL, MN 55133-3427 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`3M INNIVATIVE PROPERTIES
`COMPANY, Saint Paul, MN (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/161,252
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Jan.19,2007
`
`i10
`
`§ 371 (c)(l),
`(2), ( 4) Date:
`
`Jun.2,2009
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/761,078, filed on Jan.
`20, 2006.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A61C 9/00
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................................... 433/214; 433/215
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The systems and methods disclosed herein employ a scanning
`system for capturing highly detailed digital dental models.
`These models may be used within a dentist's office for a wide
`array of dental functions including quality control, restora(cid:173)
`tion design, and fitting. These models may also, or instead, be
`transmitted to dental laboratories that may, alone or in col(cid:173)
`laboration with the originating dentist or other dental profes(cid:173)
`sionals, transform the digital model into a physical realization
`of a dental hardware item.
`
`108
`"-
`
`114
`
`100 r
`
`104
`
`Align EX1005
`Align v. 3Shape
`IPR2022-00145
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 3, 2009 Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 2009/0298017 Al
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 3, 2009 Sheet 2 of 7
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`US 2009/0298017 Al
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`Rx
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`Missing Teeth: 5
`Material: All Ceramic
`Manufadurer: Empress
`Limited Occlusal Clearance: Reduction
`Coping
`Surface Teldllre: Horizontal Lines
`Surface Glaze: Average Shine
`Opacity: Average
`Occfusal Staining: Pits and Fissures
`Shade Guide: Vila Classical Shade
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 3, 2009 Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 2009/0298017 Al
`
`402
`
`/400
`
`START
`
`. . . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 0 4
`. - - - - - • OBTAIN DIGITAL MODEL(S)
`
`406
`
`408
`
`AUTOMATED QC
`
`MANUAL QC
`
`410
`....--~-------..
`REMOTE QC
`
`NO
`
`SUPPLEMENT
`SCAN
`
`412
`YES
`
`416
`
`PREPARE
`PRESCRIPTION
`
`TRANSMIT MODEL AND PRESCRIPTION
`TO DENTAL LABORATORY
`
`420
`
`END
`
`Fig. 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 3, 2009 Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 2009/0298017 Al
`
`502
`
`/500
`
`START
`
`RECEIVE MODEL FROM DENTIST
`
`PREPARE RESTORATION
`
`504
`
`506
`
`,--------L-------L-508
`SCAN RESTORATION
`
`TEST FIT RESTORATION
`
`510
`
`NO
`
`SEND PHYSICAL
`RESTORATION TO DENTIST
`
`516
`
`518
`
`END
`
`Fig. 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 3, 2009 Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 2009/0298017 Al
`
`, ...
`
`/
`
`602
`
`600
`
`Fig. 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 3, 2009 Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 2009/0298017 Al
`
`704
`
`704
`
`706
`
`708
`
`Fig. 7A
`
`Fig. 7B
`
`

`

`US 2009/0298017 Al
`
`Dec. 3, 2009
`
`1
`
`DIGITAL DENTISTRY
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. App. No.
`60/761,078, filed on Jan. 20, 2006.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002]
`1. Field of the Invention
`[0003] The invention relates to dentistry, and more particu(cid:173)
`larly for dental applications of digital, three-dimensional rep(cid:173)
`resentations of dentition.
`[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
`[0005] Dentistry today largely continues in the mold of the
`past, using techniques pioneered by ancient Egyptians. One
`basic technique for manufacturing a dental restoration, the
`so-called lost wax method, employs a wax pattern from which
`a metal casting is made. A mold of the wax pattern is made
`using a high-heat investment material. The mold is then
`heated in a furnace, the pattern is then burned out, and the
`investment ring is cast or filled with some type of alloy or
`some other substance to provide a final version of a dental
`restoration. A dentist bonds this prosthetic to a site in a
`patient's mouth that has been hand-prepared to match the
`prosthetic.As a significant disadvantage, a substantial burden
`is placed on practicing dentists to physically match restora(cid:173)
`tions and tooth surfaces. Further complicating this process,
`the wax model itself is typically created from a physical cast
`of the patient's mouth. The casting process can introduce
`errors into a final restoration, as can material handling in the
`multiple steps carried out by a dental laboratory to go from the
`original dental impression to the final restoration.
`[0006]
`In theory, digital dentistry offers manifest advan(cid:173)
`tages of quality, portability, and durability as compared to cast
`models of physical impressions. However, advances in den(cid:173)
`tistry have been muted, at least in part due to the inability to
`easily capture adequate three-dimensional data for teeth and
`surrounding soft tissue. In addition, dentistry has achieved
`only limited gains from general improvements in manufac(cid:173)
`turing technologies because each dental patient and restora(cid:173)
`tion presents a unique, one-off product.
`[0007] There remains a need for dentistry tools that capture
`high-quality digital dental models, as well as tools that permit
`the design and manufacture of dental hardware from such
`models.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0008] The systems and methods disclosed herein employ a
`scanning system for capturing highly detailed digital dental
`models. These models may be used within a dentist's office
`for a wide array of dental functions including quality control,
`restoration design, and fitting. These models may also, or
`instead, be transmitted to dental laboratories that may, alone
`or in collaboration with the originating dentist or other dental
`professionals, transform the digital model into a physical
`realization of a dental hardware item.
`[0009] A method disclosed herein includes acquiring a
`three-dimensional representation of one or more intraoral
`structures of a dental patient using an intraoral scanner; and
`providing the three-dimensional representation to a dental
`fabrication facility.
`[001 OJ The method may further include fabricating a dental
`restoration at the dental fabrication facility using the three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation. The dental fabrication facility
`
`may include a dental laboratory. The one or more intraoral
`structures may include at least one dental implant, at least one
`tooth, at least one tooth surface prepared for a dental restora(cid:173)
`tion, at least one previously restored tooth, and/or at least one
`area of soft tissue. The method may further include fabricat(cid:173)
`ing a dental prosthesis at the dental fabrication facility using
`the three-dimensional representation.
`[0011] The method may further include transmitting the
`three-dimensional representation to a dental laboratory and,
`in response, receiving an assessment of quality for the three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation from the dental laboratory. The
`assessment of quality may be received before the dental
`patient leaves a dentist's office. The assessment of quality
`may include an assessment of acceptability of the three-di(cid:173)
`mensional representation. The method may further include
`transmitting the three-dimensional representation to a dental
`laboratory and, in response, receiving an assessment of qual(cid:173)
`ity of the at least one prepared tooth surface. Transmitting the
`three-dimensional representation to a dental fabrication facil(cid:173)
`ity may include transmitting to a remote dental laboratory for
`fabrication of a dental restoration for the one or more intra oral
`structures. The method may further include transmitting the
`three-dimensional representation to a dental data hub. The
`method may further include transmitting a prescription for
`the dental restoration with the three-dimensional representa(cid:173)
`tion. The method may further include transmitting the three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation to a model production laboratory.
`The model production laboratory may be a milling facility, a
`manufacturing facility, or a three-dimensional rapid prototyp(cid:173)
`ing facility. Transmitting the three-dimensional representa(cid:173)
`tion to a dental fabrication facility may include providing the
`three-dimensional representation to an in-office dental labo(cid:173)
`ratory for fabrication of a dental restoration for the one or
`more intraoral structures.
`[0012] A computer program product disclosed herein
`includes computer executable code embodied in a computer
`readable medium that, when executed on one or more com(cid:173)
`puter devices, may perform the steps of: acquiring one or
`more images of one or more intraoral structures of a dental
`patient from an intraoral scanner; converting the one or more
`images into a three-dimensional representation of the one or
`more intraoral structures; and transmitting the three-dimen(cid:173)
`sional representation to a dental fabrication facility.
`[0013] The computer program may further include com(cid:173)
`puter code that performs the step of comparing quality of the
`three-dimensional representation to predefined quality crite(cid:173)
`ria. The predefined quality criteria may include acceptability
`of the three-dimensional representation for fabrication. The
`computer program may further include computer code that
`performs the steps of: retrieving a prescription for at least one
`of a prosthesis or an appliance by a dentist; and combining the
`prescription with the three-dimensional representation prior
`to transmitting the three-dimensional representation. The one
`or more intraoral structures may include at least one dental
`implant, one tooth, or one tooth surface prepared for a dental
`restoration. The computer program may further include com(cid:173)
`puter code that performs the step of comparing quality of the
`at least one prepared tooth surface to predefined quality cri(cid:173)
`teria. The one or more intraoral structures may include at least
`one area of soft tissue.
`[0014] A system disclosed herein includes an intraoral
`scanner for acquiring a three-dimensional representation of
`one or more intraoral structures of a dental patient; and a
`
`

`

`US 2009/0298017 Al
`
`Dec. 3, 2009
`
`2
`
`transmission means for transmitting the three-dimensional
`representation to a dental fabrication facility.
`[0015] The system may further include a first fabrication
`means for fabricating a dental restoration at the dental fabri(cid:173)
`cation facility using the three-dimensional representation.
`The one or more intraoral structures may include at least one
`dental implant, one tooth, least one tooth surface prepared for
`a dental restoration, or one area of soft tissue. The system may
`further include a second fabrication means for fabricating a
`dental prosthesis at the dental fabrication facility using the
`three-dimensional representation. The system may further
`include a quality assessment means for assessing quality of
`the three-dimensional representation. The quality assessment
`means may include a means for determining acceptability of
`the three-dimensional representation for use with the first
`fabrication means. The quality assessment means may
`include a means for determining acceptability of the three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation for use with the second fabrica(cid:173)
`tion means. The one or more intraoral structures may include
`at least one tooth surface prepared for a dental restoration,
`wherein the quality assessment means includes a means for
`determining quality of the at least one prepared tooth surface.
`[0016]
`In another aspect, a method disclosed herein
`includes receiving a three-dimensional representation of a
`tooth, the tooth prepared for a dental restoration; specifying a
`cementation void between the tooth surface and the dental
`restoration; and fabricating the dental restoration such that
`the dental restoration, when mated to the tooth surface,
`defines an empty space corresponding to the cementation
`void.
`[0017] The method may include adjusting the cementation
`void, such as according to a dentist's preferences or according
`to the type of cement to be used in the cementation void. The
`cementation void may be specified by a dentist. The dentist
`may send the specification to a dental laboratory. The cemen(cid:173)
`tation void may be specified by a dental laboratory. The
`method may include three-dimensionally printing a die
`including the cementation void. The method may include
`fabricating a die including the cementation void with a stereo
`lithography apparatus. The method may include three-dimen(cid:173)
`sionally printing a wax-up including the cementation void.
`The method may include milling a die including the cemen(cid:173)
`tation void. The method may include integrating the cemen(cid:173)
`tation void into a digital surface representation of the tooth.
`The method may include integrating the cementation void
`into a dental model. The three-dimensional representation
`may include a digital surface representation of the tooth.
`Fabricating the dental restoration may include fabricating the
`dental restoration in an in-house laboratory in a dentist's
`office. The method may further include fabricating an oppos(cid:173)
`ing arch for an arch including the tooth, the opposing arch
`including a die spacer having a predetermined thickness.
`[0018]
`In another aspect, a computer program product dis(cid:173)
`closed herein includes computer executable code embodied
`in a computer readable medium that, when executed on one or
`more computer devices, performs the steps of: acquiring one
`or more images of a tooth of a dental patient from an intraoral
`scanner, the tooth including a tooth surface prepared for a
`dental restoration; converting the one or more images into a
`three-dimensional representation of the tooth; specifying a
`cementation void between the tooth surface and the dental
`restoration; combining the specification for the cementation
`void with the three-dimensional representation into a fabri-
`
`cation specification; and transmitting the fabrication specifi(cid:173)
`cation to a dental fabrication facility.
`[0019] A dentist may specify the cementation void. The
`computer program product may include code that performs
`the step ofreceiving a specification of the cementation void
`from the dental fabrication facility. The computer program
`product may include code for three-dimensionally printing
`the cementation void to a die. The computer program product
`may include code for three-dimensionally printing the
`cementation void to a wax up. The computer program product
`may include code that performs the step of integrating the
`cementation void into a digital surface representation of the
`tooth.
`[0020]
`In another aspect, a system disclosed herein
`includes a first means for three-dimensionally representing a
`tooth, the tooth prepared for a dental restoration; a second
`means for specifying a cementation void, the cementation
`void representing an empty space between the tooth surface
`and the dental restoration; and a fabrication means for fabri(cid:173)
`cating the dental restoration such that the dental restoration,
`when mated to the tooth surface, defines an empty space
`corresponding to the cementation void.
`[0021] The system may include an adjustment means for
`adjusting the cementation void. The adjustment means may
`include means for incorporating a dentist's preferences. The
`adjustment means may include means for adjusting the
`cementation void according to a type of cement. The system
`may include a first printing means for three-dimensionally
`printing a die including the cementation void. The system
`may include a second printing means for three-dimensionally
`printing a wax-up including the cementation void. The sys(cid:173)
`tem may include a milling means for milling a die including
`the cementation void. The system may include a milling
`means for milling an investment chamber for casting includ(cid:173)
`ing the cementation void. The system may include a model
`means for integrating the cementation void into a model of a
`dental impression. The three-dimensional representation of a
`tooth may include a digital surface representation of the tooth.
`[0022]
`In another aspect, a method disclosed herein
`includes fabricating a dental object; acquiring a first three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation of the object; and measuring a
`dimensional accuracy of the first three-dimensional represen(cid:173)
`tation. The first
`three-dimensional representation may
`include a digital surface representation. The dental object
`may include a dental prosthesis, a dental implant, a dental
`appliance, a dental restoration, a restorative component, or an
`abutment. The method may include acquiring a second three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation of one or more teeth including at
`least one tooth surface prepared for the dental object, wherein
`measuring a dimensional accuracy may include evaluating a
`fit between the item of the first three-dimensional represen(cid:173)
`tation and the at least one tooth surface of the second three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation. The method may further include
`acquiring a second three-dimensional representation of one
`or more teeth including at least one tooth surface prepared for
`the dental object, wherein measuring a dimensional accuracy
`may include evaluating one or more contact points between
`the item of the first three-dimensional representation and the
`one or more teeth of the second three-dimensional represen(cid:173)
`tation when the item is virtually affixed to the at least one
`tooth surface. The method may further include acquiring a
`second three-dimensional representation of one or more teeth
`including at least one tooth surface prepared for the dental
`object and at least one opposing tooth, wherein measuring a
`
`

`

`US 2009/0298017 Al
`
`Dec. 3, 2009
`
`3
`
`dimensional accuracy may include evaluating one or more
`contact points between the item of the first three-dimensional
`representation and the at least one opposing tooth of the
`second three-dimensional representation when the item is
`virtually affixed to the at least one tooth surface. The second
`three-dimensional representation may be acquired as a plu(cid:173)
`rality of separate scans. The second three-dimensional repre(cid:173)
`sentation may be acquired as a continuous scan of the at least
`one tooth surface and the at least one opposing tooth in
`occlusion. A dentist may specify tightness of fit of the dental
`object. Measuring a dimensional accuracy may include quan(cid:173)
`tifying tightness of fit of the dental object. Measuring a
`dimensional accuracy includes measuring quality of a mar(cid:173)
`gin.
`[ 0023] A computer program product may include computer
`executable code embodied in a computer readable medium
`that, when executed on one or more computer devices, per(cid:173)
`forms the steps of: acquiring one or more images of a dental
`object, converting the one or more images of the dental object
`into a first three-dimensional representation of the item; and
`measuring a dimensional accuracy of the first three-dimen(cid:173)
`sional representation. The first three-dimensional representa(cid:173)
`tion may include a digital surface representation.
`[0024] The dental object may include a dental prosthesis, a
`dental implant, a dental appliance, a dental restoration, a
`restorative component, or an abutment. The computer pro(cid:173)
`gram product may include code that performs the steps of:
`acquiring one or more images of one or more teeth including
`at least one tooth surface prepared for the dental object; and
`converting the one or more images of the one or more teeth
`into a second three-dimensional representation of the one or
`more teeth, wherein measuring a dimensional accuracy
`includes evaluating a fit between the item of the first three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation and the at least one tooth surface
`of the second three-dimensional representation. The com(cid:173)
`puter program product may include code that performs the
`steps of: acquiring one or more images of one or more teeth
`including at least one tooth surface prepared for the dental
`object; converting the one or more images of the one or more
`teeth into a second three-dimensional representation of the
`one or more teeth; and generating one or more contact points
`between the item of the first three-dimensional representation
`and the one or more teeth of the second three-dimensional
`representation by virtually affixing the item to the at least one
`tooth surface, wherein measuring includes evaluating one or
`more contact points.
`[ 0025] The computer program product may further include
`computer code that performs the steps of: acquiring one or
`more images of one or more teeth including at least one tooth
`surface prepared for the dental object and at least one oppos(cid:173)
`ing tooth; converting the one or more images of the one or
`more teeth and the at least one opposing tooth into a second
`three-dimensional representation of the one or more teeth and
`the at least one opposing tooth; and generating one or more
`contact points between the item of the first three-dimensional
`representation and the at least one opposing tooth of the
`second three-dimensional representation by virtually affixing
`the item to the at least one tooth surface, wherein measuring
`includes evaluating one or more contact points. Measuring a
`dimensional accuracy may include quantifying tightness of fit
`of the dental object. Measuring a dimensional accuracy may
`include measuring quality of a margin.
`[0026] A system disclosed herein includes a fabrication
`means for fabricating a dental object; a first means for acquir-
`
`ing a first three-dimensional representation of the item; and a
`measurement means for measuring a dimensional accuracy of
`the first three-dimensional representation. The first three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation may include a digital surface rep(cid:173)
`resentation.
`[0027] The dental object may include a dental prosthesis, a
`dental implant, a dental appliance, a dental restoration, a
`restorative component, or an abutment. The system may fur(cid:173)
`ther include a second means for acquiring a second three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation of one or more teeth including at
`least one tooth surface prepared for the dental object, wherein
`measuring a dimensional accuracy may include evaluating a
`fit between the item of the first three-dimensional represen(cid:173)
`tation and the at least one tooth surface of the second three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation. The system may further include a
`second means for acquiring a second three-dimensional rep(cid:173)
`resentation of one or more teeth including at least one tooth
`surface prepared for the dental object, wherein measuring a
`dimensional accuracy may include evaluating one or more
`contact points between the item of the first three-dimensional
`representation and the one or more teeth of the second three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation when the item is virtually affixed
`to the at least one tooth surface. The system may further
`include a second means for acquiring a second three-dimen(cid:173)
`sional representation of one or more teeth including at least
`one tooth surface prepared for the dental object and at least
`one opposing tooth, wherein measuring a dimensional accu(cid:173)
`racy may include evaluating one or more contact points
`between the item of the first three-dimensional representation
`and the at least one opposing tooth of the second three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation when the item is virtually affixed
`to the at least one tooth surface. A dentist may specify tight(cid:173)
`ness of fit of the dental object. Measuring a dimensional
`accuracy may include quantifying tightness offit of the dental
`object. Measuring a dimensional accuracy includes measur(cid:173)
`ing quality of a margin.
`[0028] A method disclosed herein includes acquiring a
`three-dimensional representation including three-dimen(cid:173)
`sional surface data for at least two independent dental struc(cid:173)
`tures; and acquiring motion data characterizing a relative
`motion of the at least two independent dental structures with
`respect to one another within a mouth.
`[0029] The method may include deriving TMJ condyle
`paths of rotation and translation from the motion data and the
`three-dimensional surface data. The method may include pro(cid:173)
`viding input to a virtual dental articulator. The method may
`include providing specifications for a physical dental articu(cid:173)
`lator. The method may include providing specifications for a
`disposable dental articulator. Acquiring the three-dimen(cid:173)
`sional representation may include acquiring the three-dimen(cid:173)
`sional representation using an intraoral scanner. Acquiring
`motion data may include acquiring motion data from a video
`source.
`[0030] A computer program product disclosed herein
`includes computer executable code embodied in a computer
`readable medium that, when executed on one or more com(cid:173)
`puter devices, may perform the steps of: acquiring one or
`more images of at least two independent dental structures of
`a dental patient from an intraoral scanner; converting the one
`or more images into a three-dimensional representation of the
`at least two independent dental structures; acquiring motion
`data characterizing a relative motion of the at least two inde(cid:173)
`pendent dental structures with respect to one another; and
`
`

`

`US 2009/0298017 Al
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`Dec. 3, 2009
`
`4
`
`combining the three-dimensional representation with the
`motion data to derive TMJ condyle paths of rotation and
`translation.
`[0031] The computer program may include code that per(cid:173)
`forms the steps of: generating an image sequence of the
`combined three-dimensional representation and the motion
`data; generating a display signal of the image sequence.
`Acquiring motion data may include acquiring motion data
`from a video source.
`[0032] A system disclosed herein includes a first means for
`acquiring one or more images of at least two independent
`dental structures of a dental patient; a conversion means for
`converting the one or more images into a three-dimensional
`representation of the at least two independent dental struc(cid:173)
`tures; and a second means for acquiring motion data charac(cid:173)
`terizing a relative motion of the at least two independent
`dental structures with respect to one another. The system may
`include an analysis means for deriving TMJ condyle paths of
`rotation and translation using the three-dimensional represen(cid:173)
`tation and the motion data.
`[0033] The system may include an action means for com(cid:173)
`bining the three-dimensional representation and the motion
`data to generate an articulation input. The system may include
`a first model means for virtually articulating the articulation
`input. The system may include a second model means for
`physically articulating the articulation input. The system may
`include a disposable model means for physically articulating
`the articulation input. The first means may include a means
`for acquiring the one or more images using an intraoral scan(cid:173)
`ner. The second means may include a means for acquiring the
`motion data from a video source.
`In another aspect, a method disclosed herein
`[0034]
`includes receiving an electronic dental prescription including
`prescription data, a first three-dimensional representation of
`one or more intraoral structures including at least one tooth
`surface prepared for an artificial dental object, and a second
`three-dimensional representation of the at least one tooth
`surface prior to preparation for the artificial dental object; and
`fabricating the artificial dental object for the one or more
`intraoral structures using the electronic dental prescription.
`[0035] Receiving an electronic dental prescription may
`include receiving a three-dimensional representation from a
`dental data hub or from a dentist. Receiving a three-dimen(cid:173)
`sional representation may include receiving a prescription for
`a dental restoration for the tooth surface. At least one of the
`first and second three-dimensional representations may
`include a digital surface representation of a full arch. The
`electronic dental prescription may include a prescription for
`an appliance, a prosthesis, or an item of dental hardware.
`Fabricating an artificial dental object may include fabricating
`a dental restoration in an in-house laboratory in a dentist's
`office.
`[0036] A system disclosed herein includes a communica(cid:173)
`tion means for receiving a prescription data, a first three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation of one or more intraoral struc(cid:173)
`tures including at least one tooth surface prepared for an
`artificial dental object, and a second three-dimensional rep(cid:173)
`resentation of the at least one tooth surface prior to prepara(cid:173)
`tionforthe artificial dental object; and a fabrication means for
`fabricating a dental restoration for the one or more intraoral
`structures using the three-dimensional representation.
`[0037] The communication means may include a means for
`receiving the electronic dental prescription from a dental data
`hub or a dentist. The electronic dental prescription may
`
`include a prescription for a dental restoration. At least one of
`the first and second three-dimensional representations may
`include a digital surface representation of a full arch. The
`electronic dental prescription may include a prescription for
`one or more of an appliance, a prosthesis, and an item of
`dental hardware. The fabrication means may include in an
`in-house laboratory in a dentist's office.
`In another aspect, a method disclosed herein
`[0038]
`includes a single dental visit, the steps of: acquiring a three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation of one or more intraoral struc(cid:173)
`tures from a dental patient, the intraoral structures may
`include at least one tooth surface prepared for an artificial
`dental object; and processing the three-dimensional represen(cid:173)
`tation to provide feedback to a dentist concerning the at least
`one tooth surface.
`[0039] The feedback may identify corrective action. The
`corrective action may include acquiring an additional three(cid:173)
`dimensional representation of the one or more intraoral struc(cid:173)
`tures. The corrective action may include additional surface
`preparation of the at least one tooth. The feedback may iden(cid:173)
`tify a margin for fitting the dental restoration to the at least one
`tooth surface. The margin for fitting may be edited. The
`feedback may include a visual display of one or more regions
`of inadequate margin for fitting the dental restoration to the at
`least one tooth surface. The feedback may include a visual
`display recommending additional preparatory work required
`for the at least one tooth surface. The feedback may include a
`visual display recommending acquiring additional three-di(cid:173)
`mensional representations of one or more regions of the one
`or more intraoral structures. The feedback may include iden(cid:173)
`tifying an incomplete three-dimensional representation. The
`feedback may include identifying errors in the three-dimen(cid:173)
`sional representation. The feedback may include visual high(cid:173)
`lighting of a margin line on a display of the three-dimensional
`representation.
`[0040] A computer program product disclosed herein
`includes computer ex